Fruitnet presents a round-up of stories from this year’s Macfrut trade show, which took place in Rimini on 6-8 May
Paolo Bruni, president of industry association CSO Italy, took part in celebrations to mark the 65th anniversary of Apofruit, one of the country’s most important fruit and vegetable cooperatives and a major exporter to markets around the world. “It is an honour for me to be here, because Apofruit was one of the fundamental pillars for the establishment of CSO Italy in 1998,” Bruni said, “Apofruit was also one of the pioneering companies in the development of fruit and vegetable production further south in Italy.”
Italy’s largest fresh produce supplier Alegra brought together growers, customers and colleagues for an evening of celebration and networking at Cesena’s historic Teatro Verdi. During the event, it also unveiled plans for a major consumer campaign this summer to promote its Ondine-branded Italian flat nectarines.
Kiwifruit marketer Jingold opened the trade fair with its Road to 2030 conference, where producer members were invited to discuss consumption trends, sustainability, quality perceptions, and product certification. A notable feature of the event was news of a project called Jingold Farm, the company’s partnership with xFarm Technologies to develop new digital systems for kiwifruit orchards. Jingold also organised a Healthy Walk & Run along Rimini seafront for trade show attendees on the morning of the second day.
Spanish berry association Freshuelva exhibited at Macfrut for the first time, as it sought to build closer connections for its members with a berry market that continues to grow.
French company Sofruileg unveiled two new kiwifruit varieties: Haewon, a green kiwifruit bred for high productivity in warmer winters and described as ideal for southern Europe; and Haegum, a yellow kiwifruit with reported strong yields and extended shelf-life that can be sold as late as May.
I Frutti di Gil, a joint venture between Gruppo Orsero and Cerchia Holding, presented new packaging solutions designed to offer more convenience for out-of-home consumption of berries. The group said it had enjoyed a year of strong growth thanks to its a nationwide network of selected producers, the introduction of new varieties, and the launch of a cutting-edge logistics hub in Verona.
Apple marketer VIP Val Venosta said it had achieved year-round availability of high-quality apples thanks to major investments in advanced storage and logistics systems, including dynamic, controlled-atmosphere technologies and automated warehouses.
Actress and presenter Emanuela Tittocchia was on hand to help vegetable marketer Sipo Italia launch its latest consumer marketing campaign.
Sorma Group highlighted a range of advanced post-harvest tech for apples and citrus, including its Aporo robotic packer, AI-powered optical sorter Hypervision, high-speed citrus weigher WD4-S, and an upgraded CBR-170S packager.
L’Insalata dell’Orto, a major supplier of ready-to-eat vegetables and Italy’s leading source of edible flowers, celebrated its 25th anniversary in Rimini with the launch of a new sustainability project. Established in 2000, the company now manages around 370ha of production and sells the majority of its produce outside Italy.
Technology company Unitec underlined its commitment to reducing food waste with displayed patented systems including Cherry Vision and Uni Trace, which together are reckoned to save billions of individual fruits each year including apples, blueberries, and cherries.
Pro-Gest presented new packaging made from recycled cardboard and aimed at replacing plastic in the fruit and vegetable sector. The range includes robust, customisable bins and trays – including triple-wave bins for heavy produce – that were developed with growers to meet retail demands, improve logistics, and address seasonal supply chain challenges.
